Dietary practices in relation to the Dietary guidelines for the brazilian population: associated factors among Brazilian adults, 2018

Objective: to describe the adequacy of dietary practices in relation to the Dietary guidelines for the brazilian population, and to analyze associated factors among Brazilian adults. Methods: this was a cross-sectional study using a convenience sample of 900 adults (18-60 years old) resident in Brazil; a dietary practices scale (24 items; score 0-72) based on the Guideline recommendations was administered using an online panel; multiple linear regression analysis was used. Results: participants' mean age was 33.5 years and 52.0% of them were women; the mean score on the scale was 36.4 points (SD=8.5); scores were directly associated with age (linear trend p<0.001), and were higher among people from the North-Northeast regions (37.8), compared to those from the Midwest-Southern regions (35.8) (T-test p=0.001). Conclusion: the adequacy of dietary practices in keeping with Guideline recommendations was associated with age and region of residence.